Several years ago, as I began focusing on my own personal growth and what I wanted to do with my life, I attended a workshop where one of the exercises was breaking a board with our hand. The purpose was not an idle exercise in physical strength. The purpose was to overcome fear.

On the near side of the board, we wrote what we were afraid of. On the far side of the board, we wrote what we would have or be if we overcame our fear. On the near side I wrote, “Fear of losing my relationship with my family if I pursue my vision and purpose.” On the far side, I wrote, “I am going to pursue my vision and purpose and I’m bringing my family with me into full human potential.”

As I took my stance to break the board, the instructors warned us that students who focused on their fears didn’t break the board. They instructed us instead to focus on the far side of the board: what we would have or be if we overcame our fear.

I slammed my arm forward into the board, focusing on pursuing my vision and purpose and bringing my family with me into full human potential. The board snapped.

How about you? Can you keep your focus on your vision and purpose and slam through your own board?